China » The Second Sino-Japanese War. As a consequence of the Sino-Japanese War which broke out in 1937, an international force was sent to Shanghai to protect the International Concession. This contingent was made up of 2,500 English, 1,400 Americans and only 800 Italians. The Italian force, transferred from Addis Abeba in the recently occupied Ethiopia, consisted of a Grenadiers Battalion of Savoia ("Battaglione Granatieri di Savoia in Estremo Oriente"), which arrived to Shanghai on 14.9.1937. The carriage of mail was served by the Italian warships in China and the diplomatic pouch. 1937 Essay of the illustrated "Batt.ne Granatieri di Savoia in E.O." postcard, printed on white card in contrasting shade with cream definitely printed, blank on reverse with typewritten "comm.Rosset Desandrá/Shanghai,li 15 settembre 1938 XVI&" of which significance we are not aware. Very rare. (Image)

1937 (Nov) Cover from a member of the Grenadiers Battalion of Savoia from Shanghai to Palermo, sent via airmail and diplomatic pouch to Naples, where it was franked on reverse with "Imperiale" 25c pair tied by civilian P.O. cds, and receiving cds adjacent. A scarce mail carried by diplomatic pouch in the early period in 1937 in Shanghai, when probably no postmarks of the Battalion were available. (Image)

1938 (March 16) Cover from Shanghai sent to a captain care of the ministry of Defense and redirected to be forwarded through the Ministry of Navy to the "Gherso" warship, bearing "Marconi" 50c tied by superb "Battaglione Granatieri di Savoia/Sciangai" circular handstamp in blue with coat of arms, with two strikes of the "R.Nave/Ermanno Carlotto" cds in violet. A very rare usage of the Battalion handstamp in conjunction with a warship cds. Ex Faccio. (Image)

1938 (April 20) Illustrated "Batt.ne Granatieri di Savoia in E.O." postcard datelined in Shanghai and addressed to Eritrea, carried by diplomatic pouch to Brindisi, where it was franked by "Imperiale" 20c tied by the civilian P.O. cds, finally redirected to Naples. Very scarce. (Image)

1938 (Nov 22) Large "Battaglione Granatieri di Savoia in E.O./Comando" pre-printed envelope sent to Rome to the main office of the Italian military mail, showing excellent strikes of "Regie Poste/Comando/Batt. Granatieri Savoia/In Estremo Oriente" postage-free oval handstamp in violet and black "Battaglione Granatieri Savoia E.O." cds. Superb and very rare. Signed Sorani. (Image)

1938 Two covers, one being a very scarce incoming mail sent from Spain franked at 60c rate, the other a pre-printed envelope illustrated with bomb "10" and reading "Savoia Italia Impero/Battaglione Granatieri di Savoia in E.O." franked with 50c tied by the Grenadiers Battalion cds, as well as eight press photos of the Second Sino-Japanese War.